The Hand of Man

It is possible to uncover the past by studying works of art, archeological remains, and handmade products all created by men over the centuries from materials abundant in nature. Many of these products were made to be perishable or consumed and therefore have disintegrated or were destroyed. But there are those objects and structures made durable for use and thus have survived the passing of time and are preserved for us.
This section concerns works produced by the hand of man, and our research will explore a variety of disciplines such as painting, sculpture, architecture, hydraulic works, crafts, industry and so on; all works made by the creative mind and by the skillful hand of “Homo faber”.

The church of St. Ponziano, built outside the medieval city walls of Spoleto and close to the paleochristian temple of St. Salvatore, is considered one of the most interesting examples of romanesque architecture in central Italy. It belonged to a benedictine abbey and was dedicated to the patron saint of Spoleto, martyred during the persecution[...]

The Fontana Maggiore, also known as Main Fountain, is like a book of stone that unfolds while walking around it.
It’s like a great clock that transcends both cosmic and earthly timetables.
Completed in 1278, the monument became the fulcrum of the Guelph Commune of Perugia, and therefore the symbol of the Platea Magna (latin term for[...]

In the Archaeological Museum of Perugia we can admire one of the most fascinating pieces in Perugia’s Etruscan collection: the so-called “Sarcophagus dello Sperandio”, done in pietra fetida (limestone typical of Chiusi), which dates back to the Etruscan archaic age and which takes its name from the place where it was found in 1843.
The funeral[...]

When visiting the centro storico (historic center) of a city of art, do you ever get the impression that the individual buildings that face the main square are part of one big architectural project? It is a bit like suddenly having the feeling that you are no longer outside in a public place, but rather[...]